The territory marked with an "X" that spans from New Mexico to Colorado and over to California can be primarily attributed to the U.S. acquisition of land through various means, including purchase, war, and treaties. Here are the key events that contributed to this acquisition:
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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): This treaty concluded the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). As part of the treaty, Mexico ceded a vast amount of territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This land was acquired in exchange for $15 million and the assumption of certain claims held by American citizens against Mexico.
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The Gadsden Purchase (1854): This was a subsequent agreement where the United States purchased additional land from Mexico, specifically parts of present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico. The U.S. paid $10 million for this land, which was intended to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad.
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Manifest Destiny: The ideology of Manifest Destiny during the 19th century encouraged U.S. expansion across North America. This belief in the U.S.'s divine right and destiny to expand its territory played a significant role in the American approach to acquiring land from Mexico.
Together, these events outline how the United States acquired the vast territory that includes parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and California.
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